Category: First Team

Benson Confirms for Next Season

Former Barnsley junior Danny Benson is the latest player to commit to Mickleover for next season.

I thought Dan did very well individually last season. he was pushing Dalesy for managers player of the year and gives us physicality and quality.

He has lots of admirers from higher leagues and so it’s great that he wants to stay on and push forward with us again next season

said Mickleover boss Gareth Holmes.

Danny made his Mickleover FC debut at Bamber Bridge last October, having started the season at Matlock Town. He soon became a first choice centre back with some impressive performances in difficult circumstances, forming a strong partnership with George Wilkinson in the latter part of the season, which will continue in 25/26.

I’m delighted to sign for another year at Mickleover. It’s a good club who look after young players and give good opportunities to progress. I’m looking forward to the new season and hopefully get promotion straight back up to the NPL

Danny replied.

Sports Sign Midfielder

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have signed former Mansfield Town midfielder James Matthews for the forthcoming season.

After two years with the Stags in their under 18’s, he spent last season at AFC Mansfield and has also played for Carlton Town, Frickley Athletic, Sherwood Colliery and Hallam.

I knew Mickleover were a good club and after talking to Gareth about his plans, his style of play interested me and I was keen to sign. Every midfielder wants double digits in goals, but I see my role as more of a holding midfielder, playing in front of the defence and being a provider for the scorers

he said.

James provides us with something different, he’s 6ft 3in combative and very athletic, all the traits that he will need in abundance. He has lots of personality and will be great for the group on and off the field

added Sports manager Gareth Holmes.

James is also a competitive triathlete and Ironman participant, Nationally and Internationally.

Wilkinson Re-Signs

by Peter Scherer

Centre back George Wilkinson has been one of the first players to commit to Mickleover for next season, after some impressive performances in latter part of the season, following his signing from Ilkeston in February.

I’m delighted that George has signed. He made a really positive impact on the team when he joined us. He’s intelligent, mobile, good on the ball and wants to defend. T

o have a player that’s young and has the experience of playing in steps 2 & 3 wanting to commit to us, it’s great and an important building block for next seasons ambitions.

said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

I decided I wanted to stay at Mickleover because of the ambition to get back up into the NPL Premier Division. Coming in last year I enjoyed my time at the club and we got some good results and it’s a club that belongs in step 3.I got on well with the other players, the management and everyone and fancied the promotion challenge with the club.

Wilkinson replied.

Looking Back at Our 24/25 Award Winners

Dylan Edwards – Supporters’ Player of the Year

 

Andy Dales – Manager’s Player of the Year

 

Will Atkinson – Players’  Player of the Year

 

Josh Carter – Reserve’s Player of the Year

and a Special Thank You to Irina.

Sports Finish on a High

by Peter Scherer

TWO goals in two minutes during the first half sealed victory for Mickleover over Prescot Cables, in their final match of the season.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Kwaku Donkor 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Will Atkinson 5-George Wilkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Andy Dales 8-Gabby Adebambo 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Dylan Edwards 11-Josh Carter. Subs: Cieron Keane, Jake Bennett, Curtis Weston, Ryan Wilson, Toby Smith.

Mickleover started strongly, with Beavon shooting just wide after two minutes, following a good build up from Edwards and Carter.

But five minutes later Prescot had their first break when Dales lost possession in midfield. But Murphy found his way blocked by Benson, and any danger was soon cleared.

It was almost becoming one-way traffic, as Atkinson set up Ferron for a run down the left after 13 minutes. His cross found Edwards, whose shot well saved by keeper Hare.

Dales then tried his luck a minute later, but was just wide of the right-hand post before a second attempt three minutes later was blocked and cleared.

Both Donkor and Ferron were finding freedom on the wings, and Donkor’s 18th minute overlap managed to connect with Beavon’s head, but not quite enough to challenge Hare.

Carter was next to take a run at the visiting defence. He jinked his way unto the box from the right, but a late tackle robbed him before he was able to shoot.

Prescot earned the first corner of the game after 24 minutes, but that came to nought, before the clearance was pumped back in and was an easy catch for Mersin.

The visitors managed to mount a rare attack a minute later when Donkor was outpaced on the right, but the cross was wasted and Mickleover were straight back on the attack, with Atkinson sending Ferron clear again, but his cross found no one waiting in the box.

Atkinson and Dales then worked together, the final cross earned a corner, but soon afterwards the deadlock was broken.

Beavon started the move and found Dales in acres of space, with a free run down the middle. The keeper came off his line, but Dales measured it perfectly to slot it home, 1-0 after 31 minutes.

Almost from the kick off Dales was charging forward again, he passed as he was challenged but still found Edwards, who fired home number two with a deflection from close range, 2-0 just a minute after the opener.

There could have been a third just three minutes later, when a long ball down the left had Edwards chasing, but the keeper just managed to get there first.

Prescot had another corner after 37 minutes, but that was soon cleared, with the visitors still to test Mersin.

Edwards then earned a corner on the right, the ball bounced around in the area, before falling back to Edwards, but his close-range shot was saved by the keeper and danger cleared.

Half time was approaching but Sports were still pushing forward, with centre backs Wilkinson and Benson joining in too.

Dales earned another corner after a charge down the left wing and with a minute on the clock Adebambo sent Donkor clear and his cross just failed to connect with Beavon’s head and so it remained 2-0.

The visitors started the second half with more determination and a flurry of attacks, which was well handled by Donkor, Wilkinson, Benson and Ferron at the back.

57 minutes in and the visitors earned a double corner, but still failed to trouble the home defence, with Mersin only called into action to catch a 66th minute back pass.

Prescot then had two close range shots, both blocked by Wilkinson until it was cleared, before Dales tried a speculative shot, which was only just over the bar.

Mickleover made their first change when Weston replaced Carter after 71 minutes, but five minutes later there was a half chance for the visitors, following a scramble after a corner.

Dales put the ball across the face of the goal after 83 minutes, but there was no one to connect and a minute later Smith came on for Edwards.

Dales had another 87th minute shot saved by the keeper and in time added on Smith broke free and to shoot just over as the keeper advanced.

It was an excellent all round performance from Mickleover and a deserved three points, as we now look forward to 25/26 wherever that may be.